A refrigerator is one of the longest lasting appliances (it can last up to about 15 years) and this may be the reason why we gradually get used to its small breakdowns.
However, there are signs that our refrigerator is no longer efficient. It can make us spend more and even make our food last less.
We have an article in which we talk about the useful life of household appliances in general, but in this case we are going to focus on the fridge: how do you know if it is time to change the fridge?
Signs your fridge is failing
These are signs that tell you that your refrigerator needs to be replaced.
- Food does not last until its expiration date.
- The back of the refrigerator gets too hot.
- The refrigerator is “sweating” – there is condensation inside or outside the appliance.
- There is an increased accumulation of frost in the freezer.
- It is noticed that it is noisier than before – there is intermittent humming or continuous humming.
- Conversely, if your refrigerator seems quieter than usual and the food inside feels warmer than it should, it could mean that the compressor is faulty.
Why should you replace your refrigerator
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Defective or damaged appliances consume much more energy than well-functioning ones. If your electricity bill is higher than estimates suggest, or if it suddenly increases, the first thing to consider is that one of your appliances may be drawing too much power.
Because it’s always on, your refrigerator is one of your most energy-hungry appliances. The average (newer) refrigerator in an average European home consumes about 12 cents per day, or 44 dollars per year.
New refrigerators are designed to be more energy efficient and this technology is constantly improving. So you might be able to save on your energy bills by finally saying goodbye to an old appliance, especially if you’ve had it for a decade or more.
Safety and health
Aging refrigerators also pose a number of safety concerns. Bacteria are a danger if the refrigerator does not keep food cold enough. Your refrigerator must be below 5°C and the freezer below -15°C to keep food at an ideal temperature.
Listeria can thrive in temperatures between 2°C and 4°C, which means cracks in the shelves and crisper drawers of older refrigerators can harbor this bacteria, even when your refrigerator is at the correct temperature. If your refrigerator is not cold enough, there is also a risk of salmonellabacteria and molds.
There is also an increased risk of fire from old electrical cables, which can become loose and fray over time. If live wires are exposed, there is also a risk of electric shock.
If you see a frayed cable, you might be tempted to fix it yourself. Do not do it. Immediately unplug the device, stop using it, and replace it as soon as possible.
Simple tricks to fix your refrigerator
But, more often than not, if your fridge isn’t working properly, there are things you can try before you throw it away. If the problem is something simple, like the gasket (the rubber seal around the door) not doing its job, you may be able to fix it yourself.
If you have noticed any of the issues mentioned above, you can try the following solutions.
check the table
To check whether the gasket is faulty or not, try putting a piece of paper over the gasket and closing the door. If you can remove the paper without resistance, the seal is damaged. If so, get a rag and warm water and clean the gasket (do not use detergent or other cleaners as they can damage the rubber), then carefully open any areas that have been compressed. This may be enough to fix the problem.
adjust the thermostat
Check and adjust thermostat. Your setting may be too warm. If the volume of food you are storing has changed, it may be necessary to adjust the temperature.
clean the drain
The next step is to clean the drip drain. You can find it on the back of your fridge – it’s a channel that drains into a small opening. Depending on the design of your refrigerator, you may need to remove the crisper drawers to gain access.
Remove all debris from the gutter and top of the drain. If it still seems blocked, try inserting a straw and wiggling it to clear the tube.
Clean the condenser coils
Another good maintenance tip is to remove the refrigerator from the wall and vacuum the condenser coils in the back. The coils cool and condense the refrigerant, but they cannot do their job properly if they are clogged with dirt and dust.
defrost
Finally, even if it’s a bit complicated, regular defrosting of your fridge and freezer is a good idea. If the device immediately starts to freeze again, it’s likely a sign that it’s nearing the end of its useful life.
Replace your refrigerator
If the tips above don’t fix the problem – and your fridge is old – it’s probably more of a problem than a minor problem and you’ll need to weigh the benefits of fixing your current fridge against the new one. investment in a new device.
There is a good rule to keep in mind if one of your devices malfunctions. If it’s more than halfway through its likely lifespan and a repair costs more than half the cost of a replacement, it’s probably time to go shopping.
Think of it like this: instead of investing the cost of repairs in a new fridge, you use that money to defer the buy-back. When that day comes, you will have spent all the money on the repair and the new purchase. And that’s without taking into account the increased daily costs of lame machines.
If you’re worried about the cost of your electronics, you might also want to know exactly how much your laptop is spending.
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